Standard Kitchen Cabinet Height

By Victoria Fane Updated September 26, 2017

While there are standard measurements for kitchen cabinets, you can personalize your kitchen by fine-tuning cabinet heights to your own needs. In-stock and semi-custom cabinets will come in standard measurements, reducing the overall cost.

Base Cabinets

Base cabinets with the countertop attached are usually 36 inches tall.

Standard base cabinets are 34 1/2 inches tall. When coupled with a standard 1 1/2-inch countertop, they are 36 inches tall from floor to countertop. This height will match with standalone oven/stoves and will fit standard dishwashers. Base cabinets are also available in 30- to 31-inch heights for those who must sit while working or for specialty workstations such as a pastry counter or office nook.

Wall Cabinets

Standard wall cabinets are 30 inches tall and are usually installed with a soffit above them. Tall, 42-inch wall cabinets are also available for kitchens with high ceilings or where there is no soffit. Tall cabinets provide extra storage and make use of the otherwise unused space of a soffit.

The Space Between

Most wall cabinets are installed 18 inches above the countertop. Countertop appliances will easily fit in this 18-inch space, but wall cabinets can be lowered if 18 inches feels too high to easily access things stored in them.

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About the Author

Victoria Fane is an Indiana native who has been working as a freelance writer since 2008. As a designer and seamstress, Fane specializes in writing about crafting, home improvement and fashion for various websites. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Chicago.